Family rally around Barker

By ALISON HORWOOD

Skipper Dean Barker's family and friends were yesterday ready to help him bounce back from his dejection after two losses to Alinghi at the weekend.

The helmsman and his team spent most of the day resting and attending a debriefing while the Black Boat underwent maintenance.

His father, Ray Barker, who taught him to sail, said there was no panic among the team.

Dean relied on the strong support of several people, he said.

Partner and former New Zealand hockey representative Mandy Smith understood the pressures of elite sport.

Yachting newcomer and Olympic rowing gold medallist Rob Waddell was also an inspiration for the team.

Waddell had proved his mental strength, returning victorious from the Sydney Games having carried the weight of a country's expectations with him.

Seasoned sailors such as Barry Mackay, Tony Rae and Joey Allan "had been down the road before and knew what it was all about", said Mr Barker.

"If they can't motivate the team, no one can."

The skipper's family "have always been close and he knows that if he needed me he could ring and have a chat".

Mr Barker wanted to give his son breathing space yesterday but left a message of good luck on his phone.

Sports psychologists said it was important for team members to clear their minds of disappointment.

"The natural human condition is to reflect, but most sportspeople must perform, review, then dump it and get on," said Gilbert Enoka.

When Team New Zealand hit the water they should think only of the day's sailing.

Mr Enoka, who has worked with the Crusaders, New Zealand Cricket and the All Blacks, said some of NZ's greatest sporting successes came when we had hit "rock bottom".

"We believe our guys have got what it takes and it is certainly not over yet."

Gary Hermansson, a Massey University professor and psychologist to New Zealand's Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes, said going out still thinking about the weekend's losses could hinder performance, as anxiety and regret stopped the team from taking risks.

"They would be wanting to keep their attention on the event, rather than the results."

Continuous coverage of today's America's Cup race will begin on nzherald.co.nz at 12.30pm.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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